Entries in Afghan Local Police
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REZA SHIRMOHAMMADI/AFP/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- An Afghan policeman turned his weapon on U.S. troops Friday, killing two American soldiers in Western Afghanistan -- the latest incident in a deadly two-week span for U.S. forces.

Including Friday's incident, 19 American troops and one aid worker have been killed in the last two weeks, nine of them shot to death in cold blood by rogue Afghan soldiers or policemen.

Friday's incident took place in the western province of Farah, far from the insurgent hotbeds in the country's south and east. U.S. forces had come to the village of Kinisk as part of a mission to train members of the Afghan Local Police, or ALP. The ALP differs from the Afghan National Police in that they are recruited primarily to provide security for local villages and regions that are far away from bigger towns and cities.

In this case, the shooter, identified as Mohammed Ismail, a man in his 30s, was killed in a return exchange of gunfire. It's believed he signed up for the ALP just five days ago, according to a local police commander.

In the past, the ALP has been heavily criticized for a lack of training, corruption, heavy-handed tactics, and long-standing links to criminal organizations.

Friday's incident comes on the heels of a warning from Taliban spiritual leader, Mullah Omar. The one-eyed Omar, widely believed to be living in the lawless border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, issued the warning as part of his annual Eid message to Afghans. Eid is the holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan, a month where Muslims fast from dawn till dusk.

"Mujahideen have cleverly infiltrated in the ranks of the enemy" Omar wrote in a seven-page announcement, posted on the Taliban's website. "They are able to enter bases, offices and intelligence centers of the enemy. Then, they easily carry out decisive and coordinated attacks."

At least 36 foreign troops have been killed this year in so-called "green-on-blue" attacks. The Taliban often claim responsibility for the attacks, and a recent video produced by their multimedia wing showed a rogue Afghan soldier receiving a hero's welcome after killing two U.S. soldiers.

In his own Eid message to Afghans, U.S. Gen. John Allen, commander of all NATO troops in Afghanistan, took direct aim at Omar.

"Mullah Omar has issued an unmistakable message of death, hate and hopelessness for the Afghan people" Allen said.

"The pride of the Afghan people has been smeared by killers who pose as soldiers and police, yet they represent the worst of humanity," Allen continued. "Today, the Afghan Army and National Police are trying to build a better future for the Afghan people, yet Omar wants to stop these efforts. Coalition forces are here to help the people; we have no other reason for being here other than to make Afghanistan a stable country, founded on educated and healthy citizens."

REZA SHIRMOHAMMADI/AFP/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- A local Afghan police officer turned his gun on his colleagues on Friday, killing nine of them, including his commander, in southeastern Afghanistan, according to a local Afghan official.

The shooting took place in the Yahyakhel district of Paktika province. The gunman, who was identified only as Asadullah, managed to escape in a truck belonging to the local police.

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- Ten police officers were killed and another was injured in a roadside bombing in southwest Afghanistan Thursday, according to the spokesperson of the governor of Helmand province.

The victims were members of the Afghan Local Police and were on their way to a training center when their vehicle was targeted in the Nad Ali district of Helmand province.

U.S. State Department(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- Three police officers were killed and three others injured when a police training center in Afghanistan was attacked by multiple suicide bombers Thursday, according to officials.

The attack took place at an Afghan Local Police training center in the Jaji district of Paktia province. One suicide bomber managed to set off his explosives, while another was shot down by policemen. Authorities are searching for a third bomber who got away.

The blast killed two members of the ALP and one member of the Afghan National Police. Three other members of the ANP were also wounded in the attack.﻿